Feline Scabies

[Smoopy65]

This past week I was given the duty of caring for three 4-5 month old abandoned stray kittens by my boss. When I took them to the vet, I found out that amongst the obvious (with the crusty skin, ears, bloated bellies, missing hair, etc.) they have scabies. I used gloves to handle them and did my best not to put them next to me, but it didn't save me. I have the telling red bumps all over my stomach and chest area that itch like crazy. I know this is the feline scabies.

I've read all over the internet that this is a temporary condition because animal scabies and human scabies are different and one cannot survive on the other. Also, I've read that there is no treatment needed for feline scabies on a human, mainly for that reason.

I want to confirm that this is indeed the truth and that I shouldn't go running to my doctor just yet.

Needless to say, I'm no longer caring for these kittens since I quit my job yesterday. (Not because of this.) Please help! I'm hoping you can ease my mind.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Hello!

Humans are aberrant hosts for notodectes (feline scabies).  This means that the notodectes may try to parasitize a human temporarily,  but will quickly reject the human.  

Since I cannot help you further since I am a veterinarian  I am glad that you have also posted your question to the dermatology forum.  I am sure that a human dermatologist will answer your question soon.

[Smoopy65]

Thank you so much! You confirmed what I've been reading on the internet and that means more to me than anything!